Expert: Carol Schlitt - 11/23/2007

Question
One-Half of a thoroughly-cooked 18lb Turkey was inadvertently left OVERNIGHT in a room-temperature oven.  
It has now been placed in a refrigerator - but it is unlikely to be safe to eat.
The question is:  Can it (or carved sections of it) be either fried or microwaved HOT-enough/long-enough to make it safe for consumption again ?
(it was one of those very expensive free-range turkeys)

Answer
Hi Shelly,

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but once a potentially hazardous food (PHF)-- like turkey -- is given the environment that easily supports the growth of bacteria (room temperature for 12+ hours) the recommendation is to not consume the food.  Some bacteria when allowed to grow in food can produce a toxin that is not deactivated by further cooking -- thus the recommendation not to consume PHF foods that have been at room temperature over 2 hours.

Sorry....

Carol